How bumpy is the Road to Hana?

The roads can get a little dicey, especially if you're starting from the Seven Sacred Pools. The highway can get extremely narrow, bumpy, and turn into a one-lane road. Not to mention the local goats that have free reign. These little guys can surprise you if you're not careful.



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The road is only two lanes wide, and it winds through the rainforest, with sharp turns and steep drop-offs. There are also many one-lane bridges along the route, which can be difficult to navigate. Another danger is the potential for landslides.

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The road is unpaved but well-graded dirt for five miles, and at some points it is only one lane wide and has precipitous drop-offs, but at no point is 4WD essential. The only time you would need 4WD is during a torrential rainstorm—and in that situation, you should stay off the road altogether.

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The best road trips are those where you can cruise around on the open road at your leisure, playing road trip songs or just enjoying the sounds of nature, stress-free. The Road to Hana is the opposite. It's crowded, fairly dangerous, and definitely stressful.

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On the back road to Hana you'll drive along some dirt roads, over cliffs with rusty guardrails and along narrow coastal roads.

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Tip 2: Take nausea medicine. I have a friend who took medicine before going on the Road to Hana and her group still had to turn back because she got so sick. Getting motion sickness is pretty common along this fairly wind-y road so if you can prepare in advance, that will help immensely.

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Next, the road to Hana is windy and narrow. There are dozens of areas where you have to yield, as only one car can pass at a time. Even outside of these areas, though, the road is still pretty narrow, and having a small car makes the tight spaces less stressful to drive.

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Hana Driving Checklist
  1. Decide on a day-trip or staying overnight. Hana is best experienced over at least a few days. ...
  2. Rent a car. Again, we encourage visitors to do a tour over renting your own car for this journey. ...
  3. Get The R2H CD Guide. ...
  4. Do some research. ...
  5. Pack a bag. ...
  6. Leave early and grab a picnic lunch. ...
  7. Pay attention to time.


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It is a beautiful adventure if you're up for the drive. It's possible to do the Road to Hana in one day but it takes an early wakeup and some prep work to maximize your day of driving.

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The safest and most pleasant way to travel on the Road to Hana is during daylight hours. Leaving around 7 am will leave you plenty of time for driving and a few interesting stops.

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From there, you'll arrive at the official Mile Marker Zero location for the route, and then it's 35 miles to the town of Hana. Once you reach Hana, you turn around and come back the way you came. Kahului-Hana-Kipahulu-Kula: The outbound journey remains the same, starting in Kahului and heading to Hana.

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Bug Spray - Mosquitos love Hana tourists. Charged Cameras - Many photo opps await you! Full Gas Tank - You most likely won't need a whole tank, but just in case. Respect for the land & people - A crucial component to everyone's happiness.

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That's right – driving the Road to Hana in reverse instead of forward! This way, you'll get to see all of the sights from a different perspective while still enjoying the beauty that this historic road has to offer. And, the best part is that you avoid the crowds!

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This depends on what type of traveler you are and how much time you have. If you'd rather not drive, and you want a guide you can ask questions to, a Hana van tour is the best option. If you want a little more control over where you go, and you want to do your own research, driving is your best option.

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The 64.4 mile Road to Hana starts officially in the town of Kahului. From there, it winds along the northeastern edge of Maui, where it concludes in the village of Hana. Cutting through high-speed urban areas and rural mountain passes, the Road to Hana offers stunning views.

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Some travelers might feel a bit intimidated by the Road to Hana. With sharply curving and sometimes narrow roads that snake along the coastal mountains, there is good reason for caution when driving the Road to Hana.

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Weather: The reason the Road to Hana is so lush is because of all the RAIN. It rains almost every day on Hana but it never lasts long and it's usually a light/warm rain. Bring a towel or two, a light rain jacket/travel umbrella.

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